School Climate Change: The Importance Of School Climate Change

The National School Climate Center defines school climate as the "quality and character of school life" and identifies four major aspects: safety, teaching and learning, relationships, and environment (National School Climate Center, 2012). Any organization that serves people must foster an environment in which the workers, and the people it services, collectively feel a certain pride in belonging to that institution. In order to get maximum efficiency and productivity out of teachers and students, school morale must be at a significant level. Some of these facets include working conditions, safety and sense of belonging, and respected camaraderie amongst staff, students and parents. According to the School Climate Challenge, “Research

“A growing number of reports, studies and legislation emphasize the importance of positive school climate in reducing achievement inequities, enhancing healthy development and promoting the skills, knowledge and dispositions that provide the foundation for 21st century school — and life — success” (School Climate Change, 2012). Thus, by increasing community involvement through implementing a variety of school events, one can boost school climate and improve overall school morale. Consequently, increasing school morale should then lend to an increase in student achievement. Positive school climate needs to be actively created and sustained by members of the student, parent and school personnel groups in school, and supported by the community at large. This can be done in a variety of ways. Planning school events to increase parental involvement and student motivation is one way to improve school morale and increase positive school

By including student families and the community in school events, it is possible to create a climate that is positive and ensures success. According to Crescerance, a web-based educational research company, numerous studies show that engaging families in their children’s education increases student success and decreases dropout rates. Their findings state that research also shows that community engagement is essential for student achievement as well as building and sustaining school improvement and creating school cultures that support all students. Tapping into community stakeholders allows schools to utilize these resources while creating a relationship opportunities for both schools and the families they